9-Year-Old Girl Severely Injured in Dog Attack in Alabama
A 9-year-old girl in Alabama suffered serious injuries after being attacked by a dog that “grabbed” her face before biting her back.
On November 7, Delilah McKay was outside her Hanceville apartment with her 13-year-old sister when a dog, which was being walked by another child, suddenly clamped down on her jaw and wouldn’t let go. In a dramatic moment, a teenage boy intervened, reportedly punching the girl’s mother, which added to the chaos, as he also got bitten by the aggressive dog before it returned to target him again.
According to Delilah’s mother, Katie McKay, her daughter described the horrifying encounter, saying, “Mommy, it grabbed my face and I was just shaking.” Katie shared that Delilah was in shock and screamed in panic during the ordeal.
People familiar with Delilah have questioned whether she provoked the dog, but her mother is adamant that her daughter did nothing to deserve such an attack. “She is just so kind,” Katie emphasized.
The attack left Delilah with significant injuries, particularly on her face, which was left bloodied and bruised, leading to dozens of stitches required for her nose, mouth, cheeks, and upper lip, according to distressing images posted on a family-run GoFundMe page.
Her father mentioned that, in addition to facial injuries, she needed stitches on her back and body. Delilah has already received a rabies shot and will require plastic surgery for the extensive injuries.
“Her face is still swollen. I think she is still in shock,” Katie remarked, noting that Delilah was released from the hospital on Monday night but faces a lengthy recovery process ahead.
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, Katie expressed, “I’m feeling really angry right now. I’ve been crying for a few days. It’s just tough on everyone.” She acknowledged that the situation is hard for everyone involved, indicating the concern for the dog owners as well.
In response to the attack, the dog was euthanized, as confirmed by Cullman County Animal Control. Authorities also reported that the dog had not been up-to-date on vaccinations.
The investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
